A statewide strike will be observed by the private doctors of Indian Medical Association, Uttar Pradesh chapter, on May 8 to protest against 'harassment' by the health department on several issues as well as the state government's decision to allow Ayush doctors to prescribe allopathic medicine.

The strike is also to push for effective implementation of the Medical Protection Act in UP and ensuring safety of doctors.

During a meeting of IMA doctors on Monday evening, it was decided that all city private doctors will go on strike from the intervening night between May 7 and May 8.

During the strike, the private healthcare establishments which will remain closed and no new patients will be admitted in hospitals. The government sector hospitals and SN Medical College will, however, remain open.

In Agra, there are around 2,500 doctors practicing in the city out of which 1,356 are members of the Indian Medical Association.